180 The Nematognathi, or Catfishes 
nical character of the genus is the backward continuation of the 
supraoccipital, forming a bony bridge to the base of the dorsal. 
The great blue cat, Ictalurus furcatus, abounds throughout the 
large rivers of the Southern States and reaches a weight of 150 
pounds or more. It is an excellent food and its firm flesh is read- 
ily cut into steaks. In the Great Lakes and northward is a very 
similar species, also of large size, which has been called Ictalurus 
Fra. 143.—Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Illinois River. 
Family Siluride. 
lacustris, Another similar species is the willow cat, Ictalurus 
anguilla, The white channel-cat, Ictalurus punctatus, reaches a 
much smaller size and abounds on the ripples in clear swift 
streams of the Southwest, such as the Cumberland, the Alabama, 
and the Gasconade. It is a very delicate food-fish, with tender 
white flesh of excellent flavor. 
Horned Pout.—The genus Amezurus includes the smaller brown 
catfish, horned pout, or bullhead. The body is more plump and 
the caudal fin is usually but not always rounded. The many 
species are widely diffused, abounding in brooks, lakes, and 
ponds. Ameturus nebulosus is the best-known species, ranging 
from New England to Texas, known in the East as horned pout. 
It has been successfully introduced into the Sacramento, where 
it abounds, as well as its congener, Ameturus catus (see Fig. 
229, Vol, I), the white bullhead, brought with it from the Potomac. 
The latter species has a broader head and concave or notched tail. 
All the species are good food-fishes. All are extremely tenacious 
of life, and all are alike valued by the urchin, for they will bite 
vigorously at any sort of bait. All must be handled with care 
for the sharp pectoral spines make an ugly cut, a species a 
